OFFICERS from Worcestershire Trading Standards Service were charged over £100 to replace a spring during an undercover survey of TV and video repair shops.

The survey was carried out in conjunction with colleagues from Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire and aimed to check whether repairs were carried out properly or if unnecessary charges had been made.

An expert was used to set up known faults on television sets and video cassette recorders before they were taken to the repairers. There were six in each of the three counties.

John Dell, Worcestershire County Council's divisional manager, said: "The results of the survey are disappointing for consumers.

When the TV or video breaks down, many people, especially those who are less well off, opt for a repair.

"When the job is completed they have no way of checking the quality or value of what has been done and have to take the matter on trust."

He pointed out: "Our survey shows that this trust can very often be misplaced. We'll be following up cases where unnecessary charges were made and we certainly intend to repeat this exercise in the near future."

Trading Standards advise consumers to ask for a free quote before agreeing a repair, to ask to see any components removed, look for authorised dealerships or members of a trade association who operate a strict code of practice and to shop around.

Officers were charged £115 to replace a spring, but when the same fault was presented to a different repair shop, a charge of £10 was made.

Other problems included charging for parts not fitted and making incorrect statements about the type of repair carried out.

In one instance, a repairer charged £40 to repair a blown fuse.